Adjustable length container

ABSTRACT

An adjustable length container includes an inner container section having interconnected side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height. A bottom is connected to the side walls and end wall. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent and extending along the side walls of the inner container section. An outer container section is provided having interconnected side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected side walls. The length, width and height of the outer container section have dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention described and claimed in this application relates to an adjustable length container, by which is meant that the length of the container is incrementally adjustable within a predetermined range. The container can be easily and quickly adjusted lengthwise to accommodate products being shipped or stored that are of varying lengths. For example, a user can adjust the container to a relatively long length and use it to ship a relatively long length product or group of shorter length products. Then, when it is necessary to ship, a shorter length product the container can be shortened. This feature saves space and avoids having to purchase containers of varying dimensions. In addition, when the containers are being shipped empty or being stored, they can be adjusted to the shortest length, saving space in this manner as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a length adjustable container that is incrementally adjustable within a predetermined range.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container that can be easily and quickly adjusted lengthwise to accommodate products being shipped or stored that are of varying lengths.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container that a user can adjust to a relatively long length and use to ship a relatively long length product or group of shorter length products, then, when necessary to ship a shorter length product, the container can be shortened.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container that, when being shipped empty or being stored, can be adjusted to the shortest length, thus saving space.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by providing an adjustable length container that includes an inner container section having interconnected side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the side walls and end wall. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent and extending along the side walls of the inner container section. An outer container section is provided having interconnected side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected side walls. The predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section is adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent to and extending along the side walls of the outer container section and is dimensioned to telescopically receive the pair of upper rails of the inner section. The pair of upper rails of the inner container section and the pair of upper rails of the outer container section have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.

According to another object of the invention, channels are formed between the pair of upper rails positioned adjacent the side walls of the inner container section and are adapted to receive a respective wall of the pair of upper rails of the outer container section for sliding movement as the inner container section and the outer container section telescopically overlap.

According to another object of the invention, the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and are adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.

According to another object of the invention, the at least one pin-receiving hole comprises a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.

According to another object of the invention, the adjustable length container includes an inner pair of lower rails positioned adjacent and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the inner container section and an outer pair of lower rails positioned adjacent to and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section, dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein. The inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.

According to another object of the invention, the complementary inner and outer locking elements include at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of lower rails and are adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.

According to another object of the invention, the at least one pin-receiving hole comprises a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of lower rails.

According to another object of the invention, the container includes a removable wall.

According to another object of the invention, the removable wall is an end wall defining the width of the container.

According to another object of the invention, casters are positioned on one or another of the inner or outer container sections.

According to another object of the invention, the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and are adapted to receive a respective leaf spring with a locking pin of various design and construction positioned thereon, mounted on the outer pair of upper rails.

According to another object of the invention, the rails are tubular with an inside dimension of the inner pair of upper and lower rails dimensioned to be telescopically received in the outer pair of upper and lower rails.

According to another object of the invention, an adjustable length container is provided that includes an inner container section having interconnected walls with predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected walls. An inner pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent and extends along parallel lengthwise walls of the inner container section. An outer container section is provided having interconnected walls with predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected walls. The predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section have dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined, overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section. An outer pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent to and extend along parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section, and are dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of upper rails therein. The inner pair of upper rails and the outer pair of upper rails have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in a predetermined telescopically overlapping position. An inner pair of lower rails is positioned adjacent to and extends along parallel lengthwise walls of the inner container section. An outer pair of lower rails is positioned adjacent to and extends along parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section and is dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein. The inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping position.

According to another object of the invention, the interconnected walls are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, steel, plastic and fiberglass.

According to another object of the invention, casters are positioned on one or another of the inner or outer container sections.

According to another object of the invention, channels are formed between the inner pair of upper rails positioned adjacent the parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section and are adapted to receive a wall of the outer pair of upper rails of the inner container section, as the inner container section and the outer container section telescopically overlap.

According to another object of the invention, the complementary inner and outer locking elements include at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.

According to another object of the invention, the at least one pin-receiving hole includes a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the container in a predetermined length.

According to another object of the invention, the removable locking pin is a self-locking pin.

According to another object of the invention, the complementary inner and outer locking elements include at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and are adapted to receive a locking pin of various deign and construction positioned on a lower side of respective elongate leaf springs mounted on the outer pair of upper rails.

According to another object of the invention, guide channels are formed in the interconnected walls of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.

According to another object of the invention, guide channels are formed in the interconnected walls and the bottom of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by interconnected walls and bottom of the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view from the front side of a length adjustable container according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view from the back side of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view from the back side of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an exploded upper perspective view showing the container of FIG. 1 in a separated configuration;

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view from the front side of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 , showing a removable end wall;

FIGS. 6-10 are side elevation views of the container of FIG. 1 illustrating incremental lengthening of the container as the inner and outer container sections are moved apart relative to each other;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of one manner of locking the container sections in a desired configuration with a self-locking pin positioned in a locking hole; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of an alternative manner of locking the container sections in a desired configuration with a locking pin mounted on the underside of a leaf spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, an adjustable length container 10 is shown. Use of the term “length” in this application is not intended to signify any specific side of the container 10 but merely distinguishes a particular side from the other sides in this application for clarity. As shown, the container 10 includes an inner container section 12 and an outer container section 50, with the inner container section 12 telescoped in an overlapping relation to the outer container section 50 to create a container that is adjustable to varying lengths as required. As shown, the container 10 is in its longest length configuration.

The inner container section 12 has interconnected walls 14, 16 and 18 with a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom 20 connected to the interconnected walls 14, 16 and 18. A pair of upper rails 22, 24 are positioned on a top surface of the side walls 14 and 18 and extend along the side walls 14 and 18 in a parallel lengthwise direction. Upwardly extending stubs 26, 28 are positioned on opposing tubular corner members 32, 34 of the inner container section 12. When two or more like containers 10 are stacked, the stubs 26, 28 fit into the bottom end of the tubular corner members 32, 34 of the like container 10, fixing the container 10 and the like container 10 in a secure stacked registration with each other.

The upper rail 22 of side wall 14 and upper rail 24 of side wall 18 have spaced-apart locking holes 22A-E and 24A-E, respectively, that extend along their respective top surfaces. The inner container section 12 also includes a pair of lower rails 36, 38 provided with spaced-apart locking holes 36A-E, 38A-E, respectively. The side walls 14 and 18 include channels 14A-B and 18A-B, respectively, which extend along their respective length. The bottom 20 of the inner container section 12 includes a pair of channels 20A-B extending along its length. The inner container section 12 has a pair of casters 40, 42 that are preferably retractable and permit the container 10 to be easily rolled for mobility, and adjusted.

The outer container section 50 has interconnected walls 52, 54 and 56 with predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom 58 connected to the interconnected walls 52, 54 and 56.

The outer container section 50 includes upper rails 60 and 62 positioned on top of the walls 52 and 56, respectively. Locking pin holes 64, 66, see FIG. 4 , are positioned in the upper surface of the upper rails 60 and 62 of outer container section 50 and receive locking pins 69 that also extend into a selected one of the spaced-apart locking holes 22A-E and 24A-E, respectively, to fix the container 10 to a desired length.

The outer container section 50 includes lower rails 68 and 70 positioned proximate the bottom wall 58. Locking pin holes 72, 74, see FIG. 2 , are positioned in the lower rails 68 and 70 of outer container section 50 and receive locking pins 69 that also extend into a selected one of the spaced-apart locking holes 36A-E, 38A-E of the lower rails 36, 38 of the inner container section 12.

Upwardly extending stubs 80, 82 are positioned on opposing tubular corner members 84, 86 of the outer container section 50. When stacked, the stubs 80, 82 fit into the bottom end of the tubular corner members 84, 86 of a like container 10, fixing the container 10 and the like container 10 in stacked registration with each other.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the inner container section 12 and the outer container section 50 are connected together for sliding length adjustment by pins 90 that are positioned in the side wall channels 14A-B, 18A-B and bottom channels 20A-B. Carriage bolts can also be used. To lock the inner container section 12 and outer container section 50 in a position to achieve the required overall length of the container 10, the inner container section 12 and outer container section 50 are shifted relative to each other until the locking holes 22A-E, 24A-E, and 36A-E, 38A-E, respectively align with the locking holes 64, 66 and 72, 74 in the upper and lower rails 60, 62 and 68, 70. Self-locking pins 69 are extended into and through the locking holes 22A-E, 24A-E, and 36A-E, 38A-E and the locking holes 64, 66 and 72, 74, see FIG. 2 , in the upper and lower rails 60, 62 and 68, 70.

As shown in FIG. 5 , channels 92, 94 formed between the upper rails 24, 22 and walls 14, 18 and channels 96, 98, see FIG. 2 , formed between the lower rails 36, 38 and walls 14, 18 of the inner container section 12 allow the upper rails 60, 62, lower rails 68, 70 and walls 52 and 56 of the outer container section 50 to slide relative to the inner container section 12, as adjustments in length take place. Stability and alignment of the inner and outer container sections 12 and 50 is maintained by the pins 90 that ride in the channels 14A, 14B, 18A, 18B and 20A, 20B in the walls 14, 18 and bottom 20, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the end wall 54 of the outer container section 50 is removable. It resides in channels 100, 102 and 104 where it is held in place, but is removable by lifting the end wall 54, causing it to slide upward in the channels 100 and 104.

Examples of the range of available length adjustment are shown in FIGS. 6-10 . In accordance with one preferred embodiment by way of example only, the spacing of the 22A-E, 24A-E, and 36A-E, 38A-E locking holes is such that an overall interior length of 33 in./84 cm (FIG. 6 ), 40 in./102 cm (FIG. 7 ), 48 in./122 cm (FIG. 8 ), 56 in./142 cm (FIG. 9 ) and 65 in./165/cm (FIG. 10 ) are achieved.

The self-locking pin 69 is shown in FIG. 11 , and has a pull ring 69A at the top and a spring-loaded ball 69B that will retract as the pin 69 is forced into the locking hole 22E and locking hole 66 and extend as the ball 69B has passed the locking holes 22E and 66.

An alternative locking arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 , where a leaf spring 110 is attached to the top of rail 60 and includes a pin 112. A finger grip 114 is used to lift the leaf spring 110 sufficiently to insert the pin 112 into a selected locking hole, such as locking hole 66. Other arrangements are also suitable.

The container 10 may be constructed of numerous alternative materials, the selection of which will depend on various commercial and technical factors, and are not significant to patentability. By way of example only, reinforced fiberglass or HDPE may be used for the walls 14, 16, 18, 52, 54, 56 and bottoms 20 and 58. The thickness of these wall and bottom components may be 0.25 in. (6.3 mm).

An adjustable length container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims. 

I claim:
 1. An adjustable length container, comprising: (a) an inner container section having interconnected side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the side walls and end wall; (b) a pair of upper rails positioned adjacent and extending along the side walls of the inner container section; (c) an outer container section having interconnected side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected side walls and bottom, the predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section having dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section; (d) a pair of upper rails positioned adjacent to and extending along the side walls of the outer container section and dimensioned to telescopically receive the pair of upper rails of the inner section therein; and (e) the pair of upper rails of the inner container section and the pair of upper rails of the outer container section having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.
 2. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including a rail formed between the pair of upper rails positioned adjacent the side walls of the inner container section and adapted to receive a respective wall of the pair of upper rails of the outer container section as the inner container section and the outer container section telescopically overlap.
 3. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.
 4. The adjustable length container according to claim 3, wherein the at least one pin-receiving hole comprises a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.
 5. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including: (a) an inner pair of lower rails positioned adjacent and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the inner container section; (b) an outer pair of lower rails positioned adjacent to and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section, dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein; and (c) the inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.
 6. The adjustable length container according to claim 5, wherein the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of lower rails and adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.
 7. The adjustable length container according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pin-receiving hole comprises a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of lower rails.
 8. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including a removable wall.
 9. The adjustable length container according to claim 8, wherein the removable wall is an end wall defining the width of the container.
 10. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including a pair of casters positioned on one or another of the inner or outer container sections.
 11. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to receive a respective leaf spring with a locking pin positioned thereon, mounted on the outer pair of upper rails.
 12. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the rails are tubular with an inside dimension of the inner pair of upper and lower rails dimensioned to be telescopically received in the outer pair of upper and lower rails.
 13. An adjustable length container, comprising: (a) an inner container section having interconnected walls with predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected walls; (b) an inner pair of upper rails positioned adjacent and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the inner container section; (c) an outer container section having interconnected walls with predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the interconnected walls, the predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section having dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section; (d) an outer pair of upper rails positioned adjacent to and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section, and dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of upper rails therein; (e) the inner pair of upper rails and the outer pair of upper rails having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in a predetermined telescopically overlapping position; (f) an inner pair of lower rails positioned adjacent and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the inner container section; (g) an outer pair of lower rails positioned adjacent to and extending along parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section and dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein; and (h) the inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping position.
 14. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, wherein the interconnected walls are formed of a rigid material.
 15. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including casters positioned on one or another of the inner or outer container sections.
 16. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including channels formed between the inner pair of upper rails positioned adjacent the parallel lengthwise walls of the outer container section and adapted to receive a wall of the outer pair of upper rails of the inner container section as the inner container section and the outer container section telescopically overlap.
 17. The adjustable length container according to claim 16, wherein the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.
 18. The adjustable length container according to claim 17, wherein the at least one pin-receiving hole comprises a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the container in a predetermined length.
 19. The adjustable length container according to claim 18, wherein the removable locking pin comprises a self-locking pin.
 20. The adjustable length container according to claim 18, wherein the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to receive a locking pin positioned on a lower side of respective elongate leaf springs mounted on the outer pair of upper rails.
 21. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including guide channels formed in the interconnected walls of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.
 22. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including guide channels formed in the interconnected walls and the bottom of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by interconnected walls and bottom of the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels. 